Since 1997 the Distinguished Honors Alumni Award has annually recognized an outstanding Honors College alumna or alumnus for his or her professional success, contributions to his or her community, contributions to Kent State University, and contributions to the Honors College.

DISTINGUISHED HONORS ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS

2023

Gary Bengier, B.B.A. '77, M.B.A. '81, M.A. '12
Retired; previous CFO of eBay; current trustee of Santa Fe Institute and of Exploratorium; chairman of the Bengier Foundation; science fiction author

2022

Lisa Dunick, B.A. '00, M.A. '03, Ph.D. '10
Creative Writer/Professor; Prince George's Community College

2021

Jessie Maisano, B.A. '94, Ph.D. '00
Research Scientist/Manager; University of Texas

2020

Louis Raffis, B.B.A. '81, M.B.A. '86
Retired; Senior Vice President at Keycorp

2019

Barton Bixenstine, Esq., B.A. '71, M.A. '73, Ph.D. '77, J.D. '81
Founder of Bixenstine Resolutions

2018

Jhanisse Vaca Daza, B.A. ’16
Founder at Rios de Pie, Freedom Fellowship Manager at Human Rights Foundation

2017

Dr. Ann Stankiewicz, B.S. and M.S.’77, M.B.A.'83 and PhD'84
Clinical Science Manager- Coagulation, Roche Diagnostics

2016

Dr. Hilary Horn Ratner, B.A.’74
Faculty, Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child & Family Development, Wayne State University

2015

Joseph Duffy, B.S.’90
Executive Director of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck

2014

Adarsh Krishen, B.S.’82, M.D.’86
Associate Director, Summa Family Medicine

2013

Diana Al-Hadid, B.A., B.F.A.’03
Artist and Sculptor

2012

Kip Allan Petroff, Esq., B.A.’80
Founder and Senior Partner, Petroff & Associates

2011

Carter Strang, Esq., B.S.’73, M.Ed’79
Partner, Tucker, Ellis & West LLP

2010

Dr. Barbara A. Bardes, B.A.’64, M.A.’66
Professor and Graduate Director, Political Science, University of Cincinnati

2009

Mark Sutter, B.S. ’84, M.Ed. ’88, PhD ’94*

2008

Jeffrey Hammond, B.A.’71, M.A.’74, PhD’79
Professor of English, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

2007

Dr. Sheryl A. Tucker, B.S.’90
Dean of Graduate College, Oklahoma State University

2006

Dr. Hugh B. Stewart, B.S.’38*  

2005

Nora Jacobs, B.A.’73
Senior VP, Hennes Communications LLC

2004

Lieutenant Colonel Mary Peschel-Herlehy, B.A.’84
Retired, DEI Services

2003

Michael C. Kelley, B.S.’64
James A. Friend Family Distinguished Professor of Engineering Emeritus, Cornell University

2002

Thomas A. Stauffer, B.S.’74
Professor, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent State University

2001

Dr. William H. Hildebrand, B.A.’52, M.A.’54
Emeritus Professor of English, Kent State University

2000

Jacquelyn Weygandt White, B.A.’67, M.A.’69, PhD’71
Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina Greensboro

1999

Catherine McMillan Teti, B.A.’75
Executive Officer, US Department of Health and Human Services   

1998

Geraldine Wojno Kieffer, B.A.’73
Associate Professor of Art History and Art, Shenandoah University

1997

Dr. Edgar L. McCormick, B.A.’36, M.A.’50*

*Indicates deceased